Process for signalling cost information upon connection establishment and a tariff server therefor

Abstract

A process for signalling cost information in a telecommunications network, wherein the subscriber's data terminal establishes a connection to an exchange, the exchange has a call handling function which makes a tariff inquiry to a tariff server and the tariff server sends a tariff response for the requested connection to the call handling function of the exchange. The call handling function forwards the tariff response to a CDR generating function in the exchange, the CDR generating function forwards cost information to the cost communication function of the exchange and the cost communication function communicates the cost information to the subscriber's data terminal.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe invention is based on a process for signalling cost information upon connection establishment in a telecommunications network and to a tariff server therefor according to the preambles of the independent claims.So-called call handling in the exchange is known. The call handling process is very limited as it does not take the individual subscribers into account but merely determines the tariff rate globally according to criteria relating to time, date, distance and service used. However, this process permits the display of the costs on a charge meter during the telephone connection.Superimposed on the conventional communications network for circuit-switched connections is a so-called intelligent network (IN) with the aid of which, over and beyond the pure connection establishment, a number of other services can be provided. To use a specific service of this intelligent network, it is firstly necessary to dial a service code. The service code is necessar...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The process according to the invention and tariff server according to the invention have the particular advantage that the cost information is made available to the subscriber directly before and during a connection.

Problems solved by technology

The call handling process is very limited as it does not take the individual subscribers into account but merely determines the tariff rate globally according to criteria relating to time, date, distance and service used.

However, this process permits the display of the costs on a charge meter during the telephone connection.

The currently existing methods of determining and displaying costs are unsatisfactory.

They cannot provide the relevant customer with information until after a connection has ended.

Images